What did you do today? 2019 version.

[braumeister]

Looking back at my photos, I saw this ship docked right next to ours at Tromsø a couple of weeks ago. I remember remarking on its size (twice as big as the one we were on), although Viking calls it a "small ship". Must be an absolute nightmare for the pax and crew today.

 

[Nemo2]

Found this online:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1109490973095194625

 

[Christine]

Nice one, Nemo2 - #VikingSky is trending.


I read that 5 choppers are working on the evacuation.

 

[W2R]

That is a huge ship! Wow. I can't imagine how scary it must be for those still stuck aboard.

I remember going through the middle of a full blown typhoon on a cruise ship in the Tasman Sea back in the 1950's. I guess that was a big "oopsie" for the captain. Anyway, at least we were not so close to shore as this ship, so there was no danger (that I knew of!) of going aground. Also it was not as high a profile as modern cruise ships which surely helped. Even so I remember that almost all of the grownups were scared and extremely seasick and didn't want to leave their cabins. Not me, I was about 9 or 10 and thought it was cool, even though the crew wouldn't allow me to go up on deck. I was almost the only one to show up for meals, though. Me and one other passenger, an old man.

 

[MichaelB]

I guess all those folks that say cruising is boring are going to have to rethink their views, eh?

 

[Nemo2]

That is a huge ship! Wow. I can't imagine how scary it must be for those still stuck aboard.

Actually, at 47,800 GT, it's quite small by today's standards, the largest cruise ship currently being 228,081 GT.

I remember going through the middle of a full blown typhoon on a cruise ship in the Tasman Sea back in the 1950's. I guess that was a big "oopsie" for the captain. Anyway, at least we were not so close to shore as this ship, so there was no danger (that I knew of!) of going aground. Also it was not as high a profile as modern cruise ships. Even so I remember that almost all of the grownups were scared and extremely seasick and didn't want to leave their cabins. Not me, I thought it was cool but the crew wouldn't allow me to go up on deck. I was almost the only one to show up for meals, though. Me and one other passenger, an old man.

Went up by the Whitsunday Passage, circa 1965, tail end of a cyclone, Greek ship, if you were dumb enough to go on deck that was up to you...I was and I did.

Dining room empty.....I had quick service.

 

[W2R]

I guess all those folks that say cruising is boring are going to have to rethink their views, eh?

So true!

 

[Christine]

BBC is out with an article in English:


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47680055




This day turned into a do nothing day. Just watching the news. Well - I put a load in the washing machine. And soon it's time to make dinner. Steaks and a nice Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

 

[W2R]

Actually, at 47,800 GT, it's quite small by today's standards, the largest cruise ship currently being 228,081 GT.

Well OK, by comparison the cruise ship I was on during the typhoon in the Tasman Sea was 18,017 GT, less than half that size, and that was considered to be pretty large back in the day. Any of these modern high profile ships look huge to me.

 

[Nemo2]

BBC is out with an article in English:


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47680055.

Someone's got a logistical nightmare...glad it's not me.

 

[W2R]

BBC is out with an article in English:


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47680055
.

From the article,

One person at the scene told the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet that the waves are several metres high.

Wow, the ship must be really taking a beating. I don't know what they mean by "several" but I'd think it's got to mean at least 3 meters or more. Anyway I'd hate to be involved in that mess.

 

[Nemo2]

Well OK, by comparison the cruise ship I was on during the typhoon in the Tasman Sea was 18,017 GT, less than half that size, and that was considered to be pretty large back in the day. Any of these modern high profile ships look huge to me.

The one I was on at the time, the RHMS Patris, was 16,259 https://ssmaritime.com/patris.htm....love the smaller ships, wouldn't go on the aforementioned largest one if it was free.

 

[Nemo2]

From the article,

Wow, the ship must be really taking a beating. I don't know what they mean by "several" but I'd think it's got to mean at least 3 meters or more. Anyway I'd hate to be involved in that mess.

This one, from 2014, on the Norwegian Star, in the same area; the captain apparently mentioned 47' waves.....luckily we were offshore...and all the engines were running.

 

[W2R]

This one, from 2014, on the Norwegian Star, in the same area; the captain apparently mentioned 47' waves.....luckily we were offshore...and all the engines were running.

Well yeah, I think those in the Tasman Sea were quite large too, but that was NOT while anchored!!! Totally different situation.

 

[Nemo2]

Well yeah, I think those in the Tasman Sea were quite large too, but that was NOT while anchored!!!

Just to confirm that it can get mean out there.

 

[Christine]

Had to check the news while the steaks are resting. On Twitter someone had a live wave height map showing 8.3 metres or about 27 feet.



Another tweet had video from inside the ship. Damages to the interior. And lots of people with sombre faces wearing life vests. They are currently evacuating about 50 people per hour.


Yet another tweet show several supply ships nearby but it's very difficult to get a line across in this weather.

 

[NW-Bound]

Any large ship would have two engines. I wonder how the Viking Sky got both engines disabled.

Now, the ones rescued off the ship by airlift, I wonder if they will be put back onboard at the next port. Or do they call it done and just want to go home.

Urinary retention in men becomes more common with age.
• In men 40 to 83 years old, the overall incidence of urinary retention is 4.5 to 6.8 per 1,000 men.
• For men in their 70s, the overall incidence increases to 100 per
1,000 men.
• For men in their 80s, the incidence of acute urinary retention is 300 per 1,000 men.

Not a fun subject, but could be important.

And this is just one of the many afflictions that old age brings.

Hence, I am not one of the people who think we will all live to be 100-year old. Cancer and Alzheimer are diseases of the old, and even if we can keep them in check, life spent incapacitated, bedridden, and intubated due to various body parts no longer functioning is not fun.

"You know you are old when everything hurts. What does not hurt does not work" -- George Burns

 

[KM]

Attending the EAGL Championships today (East Atlantic Gymnastics League)....women’s college gymnastics. Unit of New Hampshire (yea!!!), UNC, NC State, Pitt, Towson, George Washington.

We don’t have the powerhouse basketball and football teams up here....but we get to see some pretty good college hockey and gymnastics....for very little money.

 

[W2R]

And this is just one of the many afflictions that old age brings.

Hence, I am not one of the people who think we will all live to be 100-year old. Cancer and Alzheimer are diseases of the old, and even if we can keep them in check, life spent incapacitated, bedridden, and intubated due to various body parts no longer functioning is not fun.

Well, you have never said what your illness was a few years ago that nearly killed you, so I assumed it was cancer of some kind. Perhaps not. Either way you are not spending your life incapacitated, bedridden, and intubated. You had a great trip in your RV, for example. Sounded like you had a lot of fun.

Life goes on! My mother was only bedridden for a couple of months before she died at age 98, and luckily did not experience dementia. Not long before her death she told me she was greatly enjoying life and treasured every single minute of it, although (in her words) she had made peace with the universe and was ready for death when her time came.

I warned F about the frequency with which older men have urinary retention and how dangerous it can be. So, if it ever happens to him, he will know to see a doctor right away. He laughed and said OK, if that ever happens to him, he'll definitely not ignore it.

 

[Christine]

We are all unable to avoid checking the latest news. So a dinner news break before dessert..

Now, the ones rescued off the ship by airlift, I wonder if they will be put back onboard at the next port. Or do they call it done and just want to go home.

A few of them has been taken to the hospital. I guess beeing airlifted is scary enough. And if you have heart trouble or other issues much more so.




It's still pretty bad over Hustadvika. A freighter is now in trouble after the engine stopped. And 9 crew members has to be airlifted. Luckily the resque choppers were close by!


We talked about Hustadvika over dinner. In 1909 the local freight/cruise combo Hurtigruten lost the "Olav Kyrre" there. All passengers survived. And it's far from the only ship that got wrecked there.

 

[NW-Bound]

... My mother was only bedridden for a couple of months before she died at age 98, and luckily did not experience dementia...

I know plenty of people, including close family members, who were not so fortunate.

Yes, I am having fun while I still can.

 

[NW-Bound]

... A few of them has been taken to the hospital. I guess beeing airlifted is scary enough. And if you have heart trouble or other issues much more so...

Not surprising, considering the typical age of cruise passengers.

Ironically, the ones who did not get priority in evacuation may now get to enjoy the rest of the trip.

 

[Christine]

I know plenty of people, including close family members, who were not so fortunate.

So do I. And in my family it's one branch from my great grandfather who get Alzheimers. And the rest of the family hardly anyone. So I belive there must be a genetic factor here. And some only in their early sixties. We should be grateful for every day.

 

[Nemo2]

Ironically, the ones who did not get priority in evacuation may now get to enjoy the rest of the trip.

If, as Christine mentioned, there is interior damage, and if (I imagine it could be possible) the engines have to be overhauled, (are there facilities nearby?), I wonder if there'll be a 'rest of the trip'?

Subsequently added: There's a vid here showing onboard water:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...r-1-300-passengers-calls-DAY-drifts-land.html

 

[Christine]

If, as Christine mentioned, there is interior damage

What I saw on Twitter was from the lounge areas. No idea about the rest of the ship. So broken mirrors in the gym etc.


Btw read that the passengers are mostly US and British.